Foldable seat

ABSTRACT

A foldable seat ( 10 ) includes a brace ( 1 ) and a top ( 2 ). Front and rear leg assemblies ( 11, 12 ) of the brace ( 1 ) are each U-shaped pipes, with open ends of the “U” serving as feet and strengthening poles ( 111, 114, 124 ) fixed across the open ends. Four connectors ( 3 ) are fixed to the front and rear leg assemblies ( 11, 12 ). Each connector ( 3 ) has a slide notch ( 31 ) which extends horizontally. Two top and two bottom side-support bodies ( 13, 131, 132 ) of the brace ( 1 ) are U-shaped pipes, with the open ends having spring fasteners ( 130 ). The ends of side-support bodies ( 13 ) fit into the connectors ( 3 ), and the spring fasteners ( 130 ) are free to pivot therein due to the slide notches ( 31 ) to permit folding between a closed and an open position. A top ( 2 ) clips to the brace through clips ( 21, 22 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to chairs, stools, benches, pews, and other styles of seats. In particular, the present invention relates to seats that are foldable when not in use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bariatric patients and other people of uncommonly large size and weight, such as those over weighing over 300 lbs, need special equipment that may not be required by others. One such piece of special equipment is a seat. A special seat is needed because the traditional chairs, sofas, and the like found in numerous places where such items are needed tend to be too small to manage a large person and are often too weakly built to support a person of large weight. Accordingly, a need exists for a seat that is dimensioned to accommodate a large person and is well-braced to support a large weight.

But a seat that is larger than normal may also take up an undesirably large amount of space in small living quarters. And, a seat that is larger than normal may be quite difficult to maneuver through doorways and to transport in general. Accordingly, a further need exists for a seat that is foldable for purposes of storage and/or transportation.

Moreover, since adequate seating for people of uncommonly large size and weight is generally difficult to find while moving from one place to another, the routine transporting of an adequate seat is a prudent precaution. And, if one lives in small quarters where a seat is folded for storage when not in use, the setting-up of a seat for use and tearing-down of a seat for storage becomes routine. If such a seat is frequently used, then it is often manipulated into place, often setup or otherwise made usable, and often torn-down or otherwise made suitable for transportation or storage. Accordingly, a further need exists for a foldable seat that is easily placed in a usable mode for sitting and easily placed in a mode for transporting or storing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an advantage of the present invention that an improved foldable seat is provided;

Another advantage is that a foldable seat is provided that is suitable for use by bariatric patients.

Another advantage is that a foldable seat is provided that is easily opened for use and easily folded for storage or transportation.

These and other advantages of the present invention are realized in one form by an improved foldable seat. The foldable seat includes a brace and a top. The brace has front and rear U-shaped leg assemblies, with ends of the U-shaped leg assemblies forming feet. The brace also has at least two side-support bodies formed from U-shaped pipes. The side-support bodies pivotally couple to the front and rear leg assemblies through four pipe-shaped connectors. The connectors are fixed to the leg assemblies, and two ends of each of the side-support bodies are inserted into and held within two of the four connectors. The side-support bodies are held within the connectors by spring fasteners located proximate the ends of the side-support bodies. Each of the connectors includes a horizontally-extending slide notch within which the spring fastener moves as the support bodies pivot relative to the leg assemblies. The top removably couples to the brace.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar items throughout the Figures, and:

FIG. 1 shows a first preferred embodiment of a foldable seat configured in accordance with the teaching of the present invention in a fully opened position;

FIG. 2 shows a foldable frame assembly of the foldable seat of FIG. 1 in a fully closed position;

FIG. 3 shows an exploded, disassembled structure of the seat of FIG. 1 in an open position;

FIG. 4 shows details of a connector used to couple side-support bodies and legs;

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of a foldable seat configured in accordance with the teaching of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of a foldable seat configured in accordance with the teaching of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows details of a connection to an extendible pipe at the bottom of the foldable seat shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of a foldable seat configured in accordance with the teaching of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 shows a fifth embodiment of a foldable seat configured in accordance with the teaching of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-4 depict a first embodiment of a foldable seat 10 configured in accordance with the teaching of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 1 depicts an open position for seat 10; FIG. 2 depicts a foldable brace or frame assembly 1 of seat 10 in a closed or folded condition; FIG. 3 depicts an exploded, disassembled view of seat 10 in the open position; and FIG. 4 depicts details of a connector 3 used to couple side-support bodies and legs for seat 10. In general, seat 10 includes brace or frame assembly 1 and a top 2.

While not limited to such use, seat 10 is particularly suited for use by bariatric patients. Accordingly, dimensions for seat 10 are desirably somewhat larger than might by used for more conventional seats, and materials are chosen so as to safely support a greater weight than is supported by more conventional seats.

Brace 1 includes a front leg assembly 11, a rear leg assembly 12, and four side-support bodies 13. Leg assemblies 11 and 12 and side-support bodies 13 are formed from circular-cross-section tubes or pipes, and are preferably formed of steel to provide sufficient strength for a bariatric patient. Front leg assembly 11 and the rear leg assembly 12 are each configured into an inverse ‘U’ shape, with the open end of each ‘U’ shape providing two legs, and with the ends of the open ‘U’ shape being supported by the ground or floor. A strengthening pole 111 is fixed in the opening of the front leg assembly 11 and a strengthening pole 121 is fixed in the opening of the rear leg assembly 12. The two ends of front leg assembly 11 are covered with plastic coverings 112 and the two ends of the rear leg assembly 12 are covered with plastic coverings 122 to protect the floor from being marred by leg assemblies 11 and 12.

The four side-support bodies 13 include two top side-support bodies 131 and two foot side-support bodies 132. Each side-support body 13 is a U-shaped pipe. Four connectors 3 are rigidly fixed to leg assemblies 11 and 12, with one connector 3 fixed to each leg. Connectors 3 are fixed using an attachment technique suitable for bariatric applications, such as welding or soldering. In particular, each connector is fixed in a location so that when seat 10 is in its open condition it is located on the side of its respective leg that points along the edge of seat 10 and faces the other leg assembly 11 or 12. Each connector 3 is a straight pipe having an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the pipes from which side-support bodies 13 are formed.

Near each of the eight ends of the four side-support bodies 13 a hole is formed as one part of each of eight spring fasteners 130. Spring fasteners 130 also include a spring-loaded pin that is urged through the hole from inside the pipe which forms each side-support body 13. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in this type of spring fastener 130, the pin is fixed to an end of a linear spring that is folded inside the pipe, with the pin projecting out of the hole, radially outward from the axis of the pipe. The pin can be pushed toward the interior of the pipe against the spring, but will pop out when it meets no resistance to outward movement. The interior wall of the pipe stops the spring and pin from moving beyond a predetermined outward distance.

Spring fasteners 130 cooperate with corresponding slide notches 31 formed in connectors 3, near the ends of each connector 3. Each slide notch 31 extends horizontally for a distance of approximately 900 around the circumference of its connector 3. The ends of side-support bodies 13 are placed within corresponding connectors 3 by depressing the pins of the spring fasteners 130 to permit the ends to fit within connectors 3. Then, the ends of side-support bodies 13 are vertically positioned within connectors 3 so that the pins of spring fasteners 130 are aligned with slide notches 31. When this happens, the pins of spring fasteners 130 pop outward into slide notches 31. The pins from spring fasteners 130 project beyond the outer walls of the pipes from which side-support bodies 13 are formed well into and preferably through slide notches 31 within connectors 3.

The phase of the 90° circumferential extent for each slide notch 31 is established to accommodate the closed/folded and open/unfolded configurations of seat 10. In particular, when in the open configuration, spring fasteners 130 are positioned at the extreme clockwise position of each slide notch 31, and in the closed configuration, spring fasteners 130 are positioned away from this extreme clockwise position, preferably near the extreme counter-clockwise position. In order to reconfigure seat 10 between its closed and open positions, without top 2 being attached, frame assembly 1 is twisted so that side-support bodies 13 pivot within connectors 3. During this operation, spring fasteners 130 slide within slide notches 31.

A plastic covering 4 acts as a bushing that resides between the outer wall of each side-support body 13 and the inner wall its corresponding connector 3. Plastic covering 4 exhibits a thickness that causes side-support bodies 13 to tightly fit within connectors 3 and eliminate wobble. Plastic covering 4 also protects against rusting an scratching. Plastic coverings 4 are desirably configured with a slide notch that matches slide notch 31. In a preferred embodiment, plastic coverings 4 include a tab (not shown) that fits within a notch in connectors 3 to register plastic covering 4 so that the respective slide notches align.

Top 2 is desirably configured as a blow-molded panel, of which a bottom surface 23 has a concave dent in which there are several ribs 24. The concave dent and associated ribs 24 structure is desirably configured to reduce weight while still maintaining sufficient strength for a bariatric application.

Several attachment clips 21 and 22 are fixedly attached on bottom surface 23 of top 2. Clips 21 are configured to attach to the top portion of leg assemblies 11 and 12, and clips 22 are configured to attach to the top portions of top side-support bodies 131. Clips 21 and 22 may be attached to top 2 at its bottom surface, but are preferably integrally molded into bottom surface 23 when top 2 is formed. A cross-section of clips 21 and 22 resembles a portion of a circle having a diameter approximately equal to the outside diameter of the leg assemblies 11 and 12 and top side-support bodies 131 to which they respectively attach. Clip material covers more than 180° of this circle so that the clip material must deflect to snap onto leg assemblies 11 and 12 and support bodies 131, then return to its resting shape due to a natural resilience of the clip material. Any number of clips 21 and 22 may be present on bottom surface 23.

In use, top 2 may be removed from frame assembly 1 and side-support bodies 13 may be removed from connectors 3 for the most space-efficient storage and shipment solution. In this solution, leg assemblies 11 and 12 and side-support bodies 13 may be laid together and packaged with top 2, for transportation. This greatly reduces the volume needed to box seat 10 and increases the number of seats 10 that may be stocked at a store or transported in a given amount of space.

When purchased by a user, the user can press spring fasteners 130 at the ends of side-support bodies 131 and 132 and insert these ends to the corresponding connectors 3 on the front and rear leg assemblies 11 and 12. As each spring fastener 130 moves vertically within its connector 30, it eventually encounters a slide notch 31. When a slide notch 31 is encountered, the spring fastener 130 pops radially outward, vertically locking the side-support body 13 to the respective leg assembly 11 or 12. While the side-support body 13 cannot move vertically relative to its respective leg assembly 11 or 12, it can nevertheless pivot or move horizontally for a distance defined by the phase over which slide notch 31 circumferentially extends within its connector 3. Thus, the side-support body 13 can pivot relative to its connector 3, completing the assembly of the brace 1.

When used, front and rear leg assemblies 11 and 12 and side-support bodies 13 are collectively pivoted or unfolded to the open position for brace 1. During the process of unfolding, the ends of the side-support bodies 13 pivot within connectors 3, and spring fasteners 130 move within slide notches 31. Then, top 2 is attached to the now-open brace 1 by attaching clips 21 and 22, and seat 10 is setup and ready to be sat upon. When the user needs to fold seat 10 to its closed position for storage or transportation, top 2 is removed by pulling upward, and the tear-down or folding operation is completed simply by causing side-support bodies 13 to pivot within connectors 3. During this pivoting operation, spring fasteners 130 move within slide notches 31 of the connectors 3. And, when desired, an even greater space efficiency may result from completely removing side-support bodies 13 from connectors 3 by pressing spring fasteners 130 and removing side-support bodies 13 from connectors 3.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of foldable seat 10. In this second embodiment, foldable seat 10 again includes brace 1 and top 2. One difference between the first and second embodiments is that this second embodiment adds ‘A’ shaped fixture poles 123 to front and rear leg assemblies 11 and 12. The ‘A’ shaped fixture poles 123 extend vertically downward from the midsection of the top portion of each leg assembly 11 or 12, and then diverge sideways as they near strengthening poles 111. Fixture poles are rigidly attached to the respective leg assemblies 11 and 12 by welding, or the like. Fixture poles 132 provide additional strength and support for seat 10.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of foldable seat 10, and FIG. 7 shows details of a connection to an extendible pipe positioned at the foot end of this third embodiment of foldable seat 10. This third embodiment of seat 10 is especially configured for two persons. It again includes brace 1 and top 2. One difference between this third embodiment and the first embodiment discussed above in connection with FIGS. 1-4 is that the top of this embodiment is long enough for two or more people. In addition, strengthening poles 114 and 124 are bent poles, rather than the straight strengthening poles 111 discussed above. The midsections of the top of strengthening poles 114 and 124 are fixed to the midsections of the top portion of front and rear leg assemblies 11 and 12. The foot ends of strengthening poles 114 and 124 are connected to the legs of the front leg assembly 11 and rear leg assembly 12, respectively. Additionally, extension pipes 5 are set on and held to the feet-ends of front and rear leg assemblies 11 and 12. Extension pipes 5 are made of aluminum or steel. Spring fasteners 51, similar to spring fasteners 130 discussed above, are set at the bottom of front and rear leg assemblies 11 and 12, and a number of vertically-spaced select spring holes 52 are set on the corresponding extension pipes 5. Extension pipes 5 are held in place at a desired height when spring fasteners 51 mate with desired spring holes 52.

FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of foldable seat 10. The fourth embodiment is a foldable chair for one person. This fourth embodiment of seat 10 again includes brace 1 and top 2. But one difference between this fourth embodiment and the first embodiment discussed above is that this fourth embodiment includes a back 6, fixed on back poles 61. Back poles 61 are provided by the ends of a ‘U’ pipe, hingedly fixed on rear leg assembly 12. Back 6 is desirably a blow-molded panel, configured similar to top 2. In particular, a back surface of back 6 desirably has a concave dent in which there are several ribs. In this fourth embodiment, no strengthen poles are set on front and rear leg assemblies 11 and 12, and only two side-support bodies 13 are used. Each side-support body 13 is a single U-shaped, upwardly-extending pipe. When assembled, side-support bodies 13 extend above top 2, forming the arms at both sides of seat 10. Meanwhile, a support pole 23 is set on the bottom surface of top 2 and connects with top 2 instead of side-support body 13. The ends of the support poles 23 hitch with the rear legs 12.

FIG. 9 shows a fifth embodiment of foldable seat 10. In this fifth embodiment, seat 10 is a foldable chair, especially adapted for two persons, with a back as discussed in connection with the fourth embodiment. One difference between this fifth embodiment and the above-discussed embodiment is that this fifth embodiment has two tops connected to brace 1.

In summary, the present invention provides an improved foldable seat that is suitable for bariatric patients. The foldable seat is easily opened for use and easily folded for storage or transportation.

Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims. For example the terms “top,” “bottom,” “foot,” “upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and the like, have been used to indicate relative orientations of items during normal use of the seat. Those skilled in the art will understand that nothing requires such items to maintain such orientations at all times. 

1. A foldable seat comprising: a brace having front and rear U-shaped leg assemblies with ends of said U-shaped leg assemblies forming feet, said brace having at least two side-support bodies formed from U-shaped pipes pivotally coupled to said front and rear leg assemblies through four pipe-shaped connectors, wherein said connectors are fixed to said leg assemblies and two ends of each of said side-support bodies are inserted into and held within two of said four connectors, said side-support bodies being held within said connectors by spring fasteners located proximate ends of said side-support bodies, and each of said connectors includes a horizontally-extending slide notch within which said spring fastener moves as said support bodies pivot relative to said leg assemblies; and a top removably coupled to said brace.
 2. A foldable seat as claimed in claim 1 wherein said brace includes at least four side-support bodies, each connector connects an upwardly-extending side-support body and a downwardly-extending side-support body.
 3. A foldable seat as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising four a plastic coverings, wherein each plastic covering is inserted between one of said side-support bodies and one of said connectors so that said side-support bodies tightly fit within said connectors.
 4. A foldable seat as claimed in claim 1 wherein said top is a blow-molded panel having a bottom surface with a concave dent in which a plurality of ribs are located.
 5. A foldable seat as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising a back fixed to a back pole that is fixed to said rear leg assembly, said back pole being formed from a U-shaped pipe, and said back being a blow-molded panel.
 6. A foldable seat as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising four extendable pipes, with each of said extendable pipes being positioned at a foot-end of said front and rear leg assemblies, said extendable pipes being held to said foot-ends of said front and rear leg assemblies by spring fasteners positioned in said front and rear leg assemblies which mate with a hole selected from a plurality of holes formed on each extendable pipe.
 7. A foldable seat as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising two strengthening poles, with each of said strengthening poles being fixed at an open end of one of said U-shaped front and rear leg assemblies.
 8. A foldable seat as claimed in claim 1 wherein said front and rear leg assemblies, said side-support bodies, and said connectors are formed of steel, and said connectors are fixed to said front and rear leg assemblies by welding.
 9. A foldable seat as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising a plurality of clips fixedly attached to a bottom side of said top and configured to removably attach to said front and rear leg assemblies and to said side-support bodies.
 10. A foldable seat as claimed in claim 9 wherein said clips are integrally formed with said top.
 11. A foldable seat comprising: a front U-shaped leg assembly wherein open ends of said front U-shaped leg assembly serve as feet for said seat; a rear U-shaped leg assembly wherein open ends of said rear U-shaped leg assembly serve as feet for said seat; first and second pipe-connectors rigidly fixed to said front U-shaped leg assembly, said first and second pipe-connectors each having a circumferentially extending slide notch; third and fourth pipe-connectors rigidly fixed to said rear U-shaped leg assembly, said third and fourth pipe-connectors each having a circumferentially extending slide notch; a first U-shaped side-support body having two ends with a spring fastener projecting outward proximate each of said first side-support body ends, wherein each of said spring fasteners is configured to mate with one of said slide notches; and a second U-shaped side-support body having two ends with a spring fastener projecting outward proximate each of said second side-support body ends, wherein said first and second side-support bodies couple to said pipe-connectors so that said spring fasteners in said side-support bodies mate with said slide notches in said pipe-connectors, are free to pivot within said slide notches, and are prevented from moving vertically. 